Process and apparatus for pressing together the edges of a tube



I Dec, 21,1926. 1,611,490

l. A. SEMENOV PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESSTNG TQGETHER'THE EDGES OF A TUBE Filed Sept. 17 1925 Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

IVAN A. SEMENOV, F PTLSEN, GZECHOSLOVAKIA.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESSING TOGETHER THE EDGES OF A TUBE.

Application filed September 1'7, 1925, Serial No. 57,019, and in Germany September 24, 1924.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for pressing together the edges that are to be stuck together of a continuous strip, of paper twisted together into a tube in cigarette machines, wrapping machines and the like.

The apparatus hitherto employed for the purpose set forth above, the edge of the strip coated with adhesive is usually pressed upon the other edge by a metal plate which bears firmly upon the edges that are to be stuck together. The inconvenience of such a method of pressing together resides in the fact that particles of the adhesive remain clinging to the pressure-applying surface, and gradually become larger and form a rough, sticky layer, which hinders the forward movement of the edges, so that the same generally tear, if the apparatus is not stopped in good time and the pressing surface cleaned. Owing to this the capacity of the apparatus is greatly reduced, while the quantity of spoilt material that has to be rejected is considerably increased.

The new method of pressing together consists in imparting to the pressure-applying surface an uninterrupted very slow move ment relative to the edges to be stuck together, as a result of which the adhesive clinging thereto is carried forward and is cleaned off in any convenient way.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a constructional form of apparatus for carrying out the above mentioned process. In these drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the improved apparatus, while Figure 2 is a section of the apparatus taken along the axis of the tube to be gummed.

The strip 1 to be stuck, which, on one of its edges, bears a layer of adhesive 2, moves through a shaping tube 3 in the usual way with the help of a linen strip 4 enclosing the same. A lever 5, which is freely movable on the shaft of a roller 6, carries on its other end in bearings 7 a roller 8 with a pulley 12, and a drum 9, to the surface thereof press" ing against the edges of the strip 1 that are to be stuck together. As a support for such pressure there serves usually the resilience of the material filling the tube that is being formed out of the strip 1. If however this tube is empty, there serves as a support a plate 10, which is introduced into the tube and which passes through under the gummed edges. The position of the surface of the drum 9 relatively to the edges is regulated by a screw 11.

The drum 9 receives from any suitable driving means a very slow motion in the direction of the arrow, for example from the roller 6 by means of pulleys 12 and 13 and a belt 14, exclusively for the purpose of guiding away to one side the surface of the roller covered with particles of adhesive from the edges of the paper strip that are being stuck together. A stretched band 17 on pulleys 15 and 16 is pressed by the pulley 15 against the surface of the drum 9. The pulley 16 is'immersed in a water bath 18. This washes off from the band 17 the adhesive which the latter has stripped ofi the drum 9. The pulley 16 is rotated by any convenient means as a result of which the band 17 receives its motion and thus guides its moist and always clean surface to the surface of the drum 9. The drum 9 may be warmed in any convenient way, and serves at the same time for drying the gummed edge. In Figure 1 is shown a method of warming by means of a burner 19, the heat produced being transmitted to a metallic piece 20 and from there to the drum 9. What I claim is 1 l. A process for pressing together the edges that are to be stuck together in forming an uninterruptedly moving strip of paper into a tube, comprising the steps of applying the pressure by a slowly displaceable surface, and of automatically cleaning,

said surface from clinging adhesive during its motion.

2. Apparatus for pressing together the edges that are to be stuck together in forming an uninterruptedly moving strip of paper into a tube, comprising a movable surface adapted to apply pressure to said edges, means for slowly moving said surface, and a moist band for removing from said surface any adhesive clinging thereto.

3. Apparatus for pressing together the edges that are to be stuck together in forming an uninterruptedly moving strip of paper into a tube, comprising a rotatable drum adapted to apply pressure to said edges, means for slowly rotating said drum, and a moist band for removing from said drum any adhesive clinging thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

IVAN A. SEMENOV. 

